Nick Clegg has promised to change the Lib Dem party after being left with no choice but to readmit Lord Rennard despite harassment allegations by a number of women.

The leader said he would reduce the burden of proof used in the party's internal disciplinary procedures, which currently follow criminal cases and require things to be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

An inquiry by a QC into the original allegations against Lord Rennard found that they would not stand up to that level of scrutiny.

But, it also concluded that the women were "credible" when they said their personal space had been invaded and he did owe them an apology - something he initially refused to do.

Lord Rennard faced claims of harrassment from four women

Now a committee of party members have decided a second review looking at the peer's behaviour after the report should not result in any sanctions.

Mr Clegg said he would change the rules in response to the affair that has been described as a "shambles" by some in the party.

"The Liberal Democrats have taken a long, hard look in the mirror since these allegations were made last year and I am confident that the party has changed," he said.

"It is clear that a number of women in our party felt let down that the party failed to act on their complaints appropriately.

"I am determined that no member of our party should find themselves in that position again."

He will act on the recommendations of two senior women to overhaul the party's complaints' procedure and reduce the burden of proof.

After the original report a friend of the peer's, Lord Carlile, compared the party's system of justice to that of North Korea.

Nick Clegg said he would change the party's rules in response to the affair

Those comments alongside Lord Rennard's initial refusal to say sorry led to an angry reaction.

It was then Mr Clegg suspended Lord Rennard while he launched the second investigation into how the peer and his friends had responded to the report.

During that process Lord Rennard did relent and apologised if he had caused offence.

Last night a spokesman for the Lib Dems said: "The Regional Parties Committee met this week to consider whether the party had been brought into disrepute by statements made by Lord Rennard, or on his behalf, following the publication of Alistair Webster’s conclusions.

"It decided not to proceed with the disciplinary process against him. This brings the matter to a close and means the suspension of his membership is lifted."

The move angered women who had brought the original allegations.

Bridget Harris tweeted: "I first complained about #Rennard in 2003 then again in 2008 then again in 2012 and again in 2014. Credible - but still basically ignored."

Former activist Susan Gaszczak, who resigned from the party in July over the failure to expel its former chief executive, said: "I find it absolutely flabberghasting.

"How can you call four women credible and then say 'Oh well we will let him back in, he sort of half-heartedly apologised'?"

"I also think the party really should have taken some action over this, because otherwise they are just saying 'Oh well let's carry on as normal'.

"If you asked me if I recommend a woman join the party I would tell her to be wary. I don't see any change. I see an awful lot of words and not any actions."